Industrial Symbiosis: An Exploration of the Potential of Sustainable Waste Management in the UAE

This study aims to provide targeted policy pathways supporting the emergence of industrial symbiosis in practice within the UAE. The introduction provides an overview of state-of-the-art practices in waste management and a literature review on assessing the benefits and importance of industrial symbiosis toward achieving a circular economy in the regional context. Next, the paper highlights the key challenges, drivers, and opportunities that will enable the identification, development, and realization of industrial symbiosis exchanges between two or more parties based on various case studies. Consultations with industry stakeholders and the ensuing data analysis highlight the potential for symbiotic exchanges between industries. The results also suggest an increase in the overall reuse and recycling rate for waste by successfully engaging in an industrial network of waste exchange. Next, potential gaps in policy interventions and their detrimental effects on the identification and development of industrial symbiosis practices are highlighted. The paper concludes with key recommendations for policymakers as well as industrial and waste management entities for introducing industrial symbiosis programs in the UAE.